Modular smoking pipe with interchangeable cartridge

ABSTRACT

A smoking pipe for smoking a tobacco product has an elongated pipe body with a passage therethrough a mouthpiece portion at the first end of the pipe body and a chamber formed in the second end of the pipe body opposite to the mouthpiece portion. A cartridge removably supported within the chamber receives the tobacco product therein. The cartridge can be slidably removed to allow the chamber to be cleaned and refilled simply by removing the cartridge and replacing the cartridge with a new, clean cartridge having fresh smoking product optionally already packed therein. The pipe body may be optionally formed in two body sections joined to one another by respective magnetic couplers at the abutted inner ends of the two body sections.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/063,523, filed Aug. 10, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smoking pipe for smoking a product therein, for example tobacco, and more particularly the present invention relates to a smoking pipe formed in modular sections that are releasably connected to one another and that is arranged to receive a portioned amount of smoking product therein.

BACKGROUND

Various devices exist for the purposes smoking a product therein, such as tobacco. In a typical pipe, the smoking product is typically placed directly into a tobacco receiving chamber of the pipe for combustion. Once the tobacco has been combusted, the ashes and remaining residue must be cleaned from the chamber before receiving fresh tobacco which can be difficult to do effectively without additional cleaning tools.

Furthermore, a preferred length of a smoking pipe for the purposes of smoking is typically too long to carry the pipe in a pocket of a pair of pants such that the pipe may be cumbersome to carry about.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a smoking pipe for smoking a tobacco product, the pipe comprising:

a pipe body which is elongate in a longitudinal direction and which includes a passage extending therethrough between a first end of the pipe body and a second end of the pipe body opposite to the first end;

a mouthpiece portion at the first end of the pipe body, the mouthpiece portion receiving the passage communicating therethrough;

a chamber formed in the second end of the pipe body opposite to the mouthpiece portion, the chamber being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein; and

a cartridge removably supported within the chamber, the cartridge being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein.

Use of a cartridge that receives the smoking product therein and which can be slidably removed from the chamber allows the chamber to be cleaned and re-filled simply by removing the cartridge and replacing the cartridge with a new, clean cartridge having fresh smoking product optionally already packed therein.

Preferably the cartridge comprises a metal housing.

The cartridge is preferably axially slidable in a direction of the second longitudinal axis relative to the chamber.

The cartridge may comprise a cylindrical side wall and an annular end wall partially enclosing an outer end of the annular end wall.

Preferably an inner end of the cartridge is fully open.

The pipe may further comprise: (i) the pipe body comprising a first tubular body and a second tubular body; (ii) the first tubular body being elongate in a first longitudinal direction of the first tubular body and including a first passage portion of the passage extending in the first longitudinal direction between an outer end of the first tubular body and an inner end of the first tubular body opposite to the outer end of the first tubular body; (iii) a first coupler supported at the inner end of the first tubular body; (iv) the mouthpiece portion being located at the outer end of the first tubular body opposite to the first coupler, the mouthpiece portion receiving the first passage portion communicating therethrough; (v) the second tubular body being elongate in a second longitudinal direction of the second tubular body and including a second passage extending in the second longitudinal direction between an outer end of the second tubular body and an inner end of the second tubular body opposite to the outer end of the second tubular body; (vi) a second coupler supported at the inner end of the second tubular body; (vii) the chamber being formed in the outer end of the second tubular body opposite to the second coupler; (viii) the first and second couplers being magnetically attracted to one another so as to be arranged to releasably couple the inner ends of the first tubular body and the second tubular body in abutment with one another; and (ix) the first passage of the first tubular body and the second passage of the second tubular body being in open communication with one another from the mouthpiece at the outer end of the first tubular body to the chamber at the outer end of the second tubular body when the first and second couplers magnetically couple the inners ends of the first and second tubular bodies to one another.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a smoking pipe for smoking a tobacco product, the pipe comprising:

a first tubular body which is elongate in a first longitudinal direction of the first tubular body and which includes a first passage extending in the first longitudinal direction between an outer end of the first tubular body and an inner end of the first tubular body opposite to the outer end of the first tubular body;

a first coupler supported at the inner end of the first tubular body;

a mouthpiece portion at the outer end of the first tubular body opposite to the first coupler, the mouthpiece portion receiving the first passage communicating therethrough;

a second tubular body which is elongate in a second longitudinal direction of the second tubular body and which includes a second passage extending in the second longitudinal direction between an outer end of the second tubular body and an inner end of the second tubular body opposite to the outer end of the second tubular body;

a second coupler supported at the inner end of the second tubular body;

a chamber formed in the outer end of the second tubular body opposite to the second coupler, the chamber being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein;

the first and second couplers being magnetically attracted to one another so as to be arranged to releasably couple the inner ends of the first tubular body and the second tubular body in abutment with one another;

the first passage of the first tubular body and the second passage of the second tubular body being in open communication with one another from the mouthpiece at the outer end of the first tubular body to the chamber at the outer end of the second tubular body when the first and second couplers magnetically couple the inners ends of the first and second tubular bodies to one another.

Forming the pipe in two modular bodies which can be magnetically coupled and released from one another allows the pipe to have a preferred length for smoking, while remaining compact and portable when not in use. Locating the chamber and the mouthpiece at opposing outer ends of the modular bodies allows the modular bodies to occupy the most efficient space when mounted in use or collapsed for storage.

Preferably each coupler is annular in shape having a central opening aligned with the passage of the tubular body upon which the coupler is supported.

Each coupler may be received within a counterbore formed at the inner end of the tubular body supporting the coupler thereon, the counterbore being in alignment with the passage in the tubular body.

Preferably each coupler is substantially flush with the inner end of the tubular body supporting the coupler thereon.

The central opening of each coupler preferably has an inner diameter which is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the passage in the tubular body supporting the coupler thereon.

The mouthpiece portion at the outer end of the first tubular body may be ellipsoid in shape about the first longitudinal axis.

The chamber may comprise a counterbore formed in the outer end of the second tubular body in alignment with the second longitudinal axis. Preferably the chamber is coaxial with the second passage.

In the illustrated embodiment, both couplers are magnetic and are mounted within the tubular bodies with opposing polarity in the mounted position so as to be attracted to one another; however, in further embodiments, one of the couplers may be magnetic while the other coupler is formed of a ferromagnetic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the smoking pipe according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the smoking pipe according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the smoking pipe along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a smoking pipe generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The smoking pipe 10 is suited for smoking a product 12, such as a tobacco product, therein.

The pipe 10 includes a main pipe body 14 which is elongate in a longitudinal direction between a first end 16 of the pipe body defining a mouthpiece portion 18 to be received between the lips of a user while smoking and a second end 20 locating a chamber 22 therein for receiving the product 12 for smoking therein. A main passage extends longitudinally through the pipe body to be received through the mouthpiece at the first end 16 and to communicate with the chamber 22 at the second end 20.

The pipe body in the illustrated embodiment is formed in two modular sections. These include a first tubular body 24 at the first end 16 of the pipe body and a second tubular body 26 at the second end of the pipe body. The two tubular bodies are similar in length to occupy similar respective portions of the overall length of the generally cylindrical pipe body 14.

A first coupler 28 is mounted at the inner end of the first tubular body 24 and a second coupler 30 is mounted at the inner end of the second tubular body 26. The first and second couplers each comprise magnets having opposing polarity relative to one another so as to be arranged to couple the first and second tubular bodies relative to one another in a mounted position for smoking while also enabling the modular sections to be readily released from one another into a storage position for storage. In the mounted position, the tubular bodies are abutted with one another at the inner ends thereof in longitudinal alignment with one another such that opposing outer ends of the first and second tubular bodies are situated at the first end 16 and the second end 20 of the overall pipe body 14.

The first tubular body 24 is generally cylindrical in shape and elongate in a respective first longitudinal direction between the outer end of the first tubular body at the first end 16 of the main body and the inner end of the first tubular body locating the first coupler 28 therein. The first tubular body 24 forms the mouthpiece portion 18 thereon at the outer end of the first tubular body. The mouthpiece portion 18 is generally in the shape of an ellipsoid having a longitudinal axis or long axis which is coaxially aligned with the first longitudinal direction of the first body.

The first tubular body also locates a first passage 32 therein which comprises a respective portion of the main passage of the pipe residing within the first tubular body 24. The first passage 32 extends in the first longitudinal direction along a respective first longitudinal axis of the first tubular body. The first passage 32 is coaxial with the tubular shape of the first tubular body 24 and extends concentrically through the mouthpiece portion 18 at the outer end of the first tubular body.

The inner end of the first tubular body 24 locates a counterbore 34 therein which mounts the first coupler 28 therein. The first coupler 28 is a generally cylindrical body having a central opening 36 extending coaxially therethrough. An inner diameter of the central opening 36 in the first coupler is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the first passage 32 within the first tubular body with which it is aligned. An outer diameter of the first coupler closely fits within the inner diameter of the counterbore 34 by interference fit such that the first coupler can be frictionally retained within the counterbore in the first tubular body. Optionally additional adhesive may be employed to maintain the first coupler 28 in fixed mounted relation relative to the first tubular body 24 throughout coupling and release of the tubular bodies relative to one another.

An axial length of the first coupler 28 is approximately equal to the axial depth of the counterbore 34 such that the first coupler 28 is substantially flush with the first tubular body 24 at the inner end thereof defining a flat end surface of the first coupler 28 and the perimeter end of the first tubular body surrounding the first coupler, in which the flat end surface is perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction of the first tubular body.

The second tubular body 26 is also generally cylindrical in shape and elongate in a respective second longitudinal direction between the outer end of the second tubular body at the second end 20 of the main body and the inner end of the second tubular body locating the second coupler 30 therein.

The second tubular body locates a second passage 38 therein which comprises a respective portion of the main passage of the pipe residing within the second tubular body 26. The second passage 38 extends in the second longitudinal direction along a respective second longitudinal axis of the second tubular body. The second passage 38 is coaxial with the tubular shape of the second tubular body 26 and extends concentrically through the chamber 22 at the outer end of the second tubular body.

The chamber 22 at the outer end of the second tubular body is a counterbore formed coaxially with the second passage 38 and which is open to the outer end of the body. A remaining perimeter rim 40 is defined about the counterbore forming the chamber 22 at the outer end of the second tubular body 26 which lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of the second tubular body.

The inner end of the second tubular body 26 similarly locates a counterbore 42 therein which mounts the second coupler 30 therein. The second coupler 30 is a generally cylindrical body having a central opening 44 extending coaxially therethrough. An inner diameter of the central opening 44 in the second coupler is approximately equal to the inner diameter of both the first and second passages within the respective first and second tubular bodies with which the central opening 44 is aligned. An outer diameter of the second coupler closely fits within the inner diameter of the counterbore 42 by interference fit such that the second coupler can be frictionally retained within the counterbore in the second tubular body. Optionally additional adhesive may be employed to maintain the second coupler 30 in fixed mounted relation relative to the second tubular body 26 throughout coupling and release of the tubular bodies relative to one another.

The axial length of the second coupler 28 is approximately equal to the axial length of the counterbore 42 such that the second coupler 30 is substantially flush with the second tubular body 26 at the inner end thereof defining a flat end surface of the second coupler 30 and the perimeter end of the second tubular body surrounding the second coupler, in which the flat end surface is perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction of the second tubular body.

In order to assist in the packing of product 12 within the chamber 22 and subsequent removal of the combusted product for repacking with fresh product, one or more cartridges 46 are provided which can be interchangeably received within the chamber 22 in the pipe body. Each cartridge comprises a cylindrical side wall 48 which is slightly greater in length than the counterbore forming the chamber 22 within which it is received while having an outer diameter that closely fits within the inner diameter of the chamber 22. The cartridges can thus be supported within the chamber 22 at the second end of the pipe body so as to be slidable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the second tubular body relative to the second tubular body for removal of the cartridge and subsequent reinsertion of the cartridge relative to the chamber.

The cartridge remains fully open at the inner end 50 of the cylindrical side wall 48. An annular end wall 52 is mounted at the outer end of the cylindrical side wall such that the annular end wall lies perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical side wall. A remaining central opening 54 is provided at a central location within the annular end wall 52 such that the annular end wall only partially encloses the outer end of the cartridge.

In order to use the pipe, the two modular sections of the pipe can be removed from a storage pocket while in a collapsed position with the first and second tubular bodies lying parallel and adjacent to one another. Abutting the first and second tubular bodies at the inner ends thereof results in magnetic attraction between the first and second couplers 28 and 30 which have sufficient magnetic attraction force to maintain the first and second tubular bodies in the mounted position in coaxial alignment with one another.

Placement of product 12 within the chamber 22 of the pipe can initially involve packing of the product into the open inner end 50 of one of the cartridges 46 while the cartridge remains removed from the pipe body. The cartridge with packed tobacco therein is then inserted into the chamber in abutment with the inner end of the chamber such that the outer end of the cartridge remains in protruding relation relative to the outer end of the second tubular body 26 at the second and 20 of the pipe body. An external flame or other heat source is applied externally to the central opening 54 at the outer end of the cartridge 46 to combust the product within the cartridge. When the product within the cartridge has been combusted, loading fresh product into the chamber can involve simply replacing the cartridge with another cartridge having fresh tobacco packed therein. Alternatively, a single cartridge may be removed and emptied with fresh tobacco subsequently packed therein before replacement into the chamber 22 for subsequent combustion of the replacement product.

When no longer in use, the first and second tubular bodies can be readily separated from one another by pulling the tubular bodies apart from one another by a force in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the magnetic attraction of the magnets for subsequent storage of the tubular bodies parallel and alongside one another in a compact storage position.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A smoking pipe for smoking a tobacco product, the pipe comprising: a pipe body which is elongate in a longitudinal direction and which includes a passage extending therethrough between a first end of the pipe body and a second end of the pipe body opposite to the first end; a mouthpiece portion at the first end of the pipe body, the mouthpiece portion receiving the passage communicating therethrough; a chamber formed in the second end of the pipe body opposite to the mouthpiece portion, the chamber being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein; and a cartridge removably supported within the chamber, the cartridge being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein.
 2. The pipe according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge comprises a metal housing.
 3. The pipe according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge is axially slidable in a direction of the second longitudinal axis relative to the chamber.
 4. The pipe according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge comprises a cylindrical side wall and an annular end wall partially enclosing an outer end of the annular end wall.
 5. The pipe according to claim 1 wherein an inner end of the cartridge is fully open.
 6. The pipe according to claim 1 further comprising: the pipe body comprising a first tubular body and a second tubular body; the first tubular body being elongate in a first longitudinal direction of the first tubular body and including a first passage portion of the passage extending in the first longitudinal direction between an outer end of the first tubular body and an inner end of the first tubular body opposite to the outer end of the first tubular body; a first coupler supported at the inner end of the first tubular body; the mouthpiece portion being located at the outer end of the first tubular body opposite to the first coupler, the mouthpiece portion receiving the first passage portion communicating therethrough; the second tubular body being elongate in a second longitudinal direction of the second tubular body and including a second passage extending in the second longitudinal direction between an outer end of the second tubular body and an inner end of the second tubular body opposite to the outer end of the second tubular body; a second coupler supported at the inner end of the second tubular body; the chamber being formed in the outer end of the second tubular body opposite to the second coupler; the first and second couplers being magnetically attracted to one another so as to be arranged to releasably couple the inner ends of the first tubular body and the second tubular body in abutment with one another; and the first passage of the first tubular body and the second passage of the second tubular body being in open communication with one another from the mouthpiece at the outer end of the first tubular body to the chamber at the outer end of the second tubular body when the first and second couplers magnetically couple the inners ends of the first and second tubular bodies to one another.
 7. A smoking pipe for smoking a tobacco product, the pipe comprising: a first tubular body which is elongate in a first longitudinal direction of the first tubular body and which includes a first passage extending in the first longitudinal direction between an outer end of the first tubular body and an inner end of the first tubular body opposite to the outer end of the first tubular body; a first coupler supported at the inner end of the first tubular body; a mouthpiece portion at the outer end of the first tubular body opposite to the first coupler, the mouthpiece portion receiving the first passage communicating therethrough; a second tubular body which is elongate in a second longitudinal direction of the second tubular body and which includes a second passage extending in the second longitudinal direction between an outer end of the second tubular body and an inner end of the second tubular body opposite to the outer end of the second tubular body; a second coupler supported at the inner end of the second tubular body; a chamber formed in the outer end of the second tubular body opposite to the second coupler, the chamber being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein; the first and second couplers being magnetically attracted to one another so as to be arranged to releasably couple the inner ends of the first tubular body and the second tubular body in abutment with one another; the first passage of the first tubular body and the second passage of the second tubular body being in open communication with one another from the mouthpiece at the outer end of the first tubular body to the chamber at the outer end of the second tubular body when the first and second couplers magnetically couple the inners ends of the first and second tubular bodies to one another.
 8. The pipe according to claim 7 wherein each coupler is annular in shape having a central opening aligned with the passage of the tubular body upon which the coupler is supported.
 9. The pipe according to claim 8 wherein each coupler is received within a counterbore formed at the inner end of the tubular body supporting the coupler thereon, the counterbore being in alignment with the passage in the tubular body.
 10. The pipe according to claim 9 wherein each coupler is substantially flush with the inner end of the tubular body supporting the coupler thereon.
 11. The pipe according to claim 8 wherein the central opening of each coupler has an inner diameter which is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the passage in the tubular body supporting the coupler thereon.
 12. The pipe according to claim 7 wherein the mouthpiece portion at the outer end of the first tubular body is ellipsoid in shape about the first longitudinal axis.
 13. The pipe according to claim 7 wherein the chamber comprises a counterbore formed in the outer end of the second tubular body in alignment with the second longitudinal axis.
 14. The pipe according to claim 13 wherein the chamber is coaxial with the second passage.
 15. The pipe according to claim 7 wherein both couplers are magnetic and are mounted within the tubular bodies with opposing polarity in the mounted position so as to be attracted to one another.
 16. The pipe according to claim 7 further comprising a cartridge removably supported within the chamber, the cartridge being arranged to receive the tobacco product therein.
 17. The pipe according to claim 16 wherein the cartridge comprises a metal housing.
 18. The pipe according to claim 16 wherein the cartridge is axially slidable in a direction of the second longitudinal axis relative to the chamber.
 19. The pipe according to claim 16 wherein the cartridge comprises a cylindrical side wall and an annular end wall partially enclosing an outer end of the annular end wall.
 20. The pipe according to claim 16 wherein an inner end of the cartridge is fully open. 